Access Plans for the Future WTC

The Daily News (4/6/08) published a map, illustrating the security that visitors to the future WTC will have to face:

RM’s Observations

The World Trade Center memorial on Church street is a place that I pass by quite frequently. On Thursday March 13th, I was able to spend an hour at the site for the first time. Nothing looked out of the ordinary that day, unless the given surroundings were viewed with a sociological perspective in mind. One thing that really struck me at first, was the differences between people who appeared to be New Yorkers/Commuters, and people who appeared to be tourists. The people who obviously were New Yorkers, rushed by without even turning a glance. Some traveled uptown, and some to the NJ transit  entrance, connected to the memorial by a long concrete staircase. The people who appeared to be tourists, all looked very sad and shocked. People just kind of shifted around the information booth, located directly in the middle of the memorial. They were reading all of the information printed on the exterior of the building, which included a timeline of the attacks. One thing about this situation that really grabbed my attention, was the diverse mix of people. They were of all races and ages, and I heard quite a few accents and languages spoken. In my time near the booth, I saw many people come and go. One thing that I found odd, was that most them didn’t even take a look at where the buildings themselves once stood. Although it is merely just a hole in the ground now, isnt the site itself  just as important as the information area? As far as police presence, I saw quite a few Port Authority officers. Although only one seemed to be circulating the area itself. I thought the man playing the flute was very interesting. I believe his songs kind of set the sad moods for everyone at the site, which clearly was shown by the expressions on their faces. Before I left the site, i wrote down some of the Regulations on the sign in front of the memorial, which caught my eye.

1)no distribution of printed materials within 25 feet

2)no distribution or sale of merchandise in absence or agreement with the port authority

3)no coordinated continuous expressive activity as part of a group of 25 or more people in the absence of a permit by the Port Authority.

MR’s Observations

MR’s Notes From Ground Zero

Environment

Steel staircase leading to path, disappears down into site
Newly paved cement around staircase
Green tarp on gate surrounding site
Peering through gate to see the inside, you can only see mounds of dirt, paved construction site with large cranes; along south fence there is a “better” view: ground is sunken several stories below street level, concrete walls holding up the streets, black plastic tarps used as coverings have an ominous appearance
Names of victims
2 flags: us and other (blue and yellow?)
On walls of information center: plans for memorial center, time-line of 9/11, map of area, pictures of rescue effort, firefighters, and tearful police officer
A sign posted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey listing “Regulations”, including the prohibition of: “Distribution of printed material within 25 feet of the viewing fence and other prohibited areas; Coordinated continuous expressive activity as part of a group of 25 or more persons in the absence of a permit…; Attaching any items to walls, posts, fences or other property

People

Great contrast between commuters coming in and out of path and people visiting the site; fast moving commuters vs. slow walking, hesitant observers
Street musician playing anthem on flute; very emotionally evocative
People film and photograph the exterior walls of the info booth
People peering through gaps in the fence seem disappointed that there’s nothing to see
Lots of middle-aged business types going into the Path train; most are very consumed with cell phones conversations; they seemed completely detached from the site
Several groups visiting, including a group of about 40 students
Racial contrasts: many Europeans, Asians, and white Americans from out of state, only handful of black and Hispanic

Quotes

Group of 4 students, 3 visiting from Rochester and being shown around NYC. They didn’t really want to talk but one girl said being there was “intense”.
Man living in Chicago for 2 years, originally from Nepal said he “feels sad” And came to the site to “pray for people” He felt it was important to pay his respects while visiting
Group from Virginia H.S. chorus in NYC for a performance made a stop at the WTC site in fancy dresses and suits and no coats. Two of girls conveyed that visiting was important to them. One girl stated that her friend’s dad died in the towers- she teared up. She said being her was “touching”, that she was glad they were building something.. “that we’re getting back on track”. She said she would like to come back to visit after the memorial was built. As she walked away she said, “It’s really terrible what happened here.”
Mother and daughter from Dallas- mother wanted to talk, daughter was very weary and suspicious. In response to why they were visiting the mother said she wanted to “see the destruction, rebuilding…curiosity.” I found them again and asked for their reaction after seeing: “Devastating”. Daughter seemed unconcerned, pursing lips; she asked me what was down the stairs. She kept looking around.
Port Authority cops are instructed not to comment or answer any questions; they did refer me to an information booth outside of the site

Thoughts

Interesting and telling mix of New Yorkers hurriedly moving to their destination, in and out of Path train in contrast to the site visitors who hesitantly approached the fence area
The Regulations posted by the NY and NJ Port Authority clearly conveys how people are allowed to mourn or otherwise express their emotions at the site. It is dictated to us how we can interact with the events and memory of this site. The prohibition of “continuous expressive activity” along with any postings promotes a distance of our emotions from the events of 9/11.
How motivating is curiosity in the decision to make a visit?
Why is this a thing to do for people visiting NYC?
Why weren’t there more New Yorkers there?               (3/17/08)